Teen Band Orchid Wins Chance to Perform at Dexter Daze

As part of an effort to draw younger children and teenagers to downtown Dexter for the annual Dexter Daze summer festival, a new teen rock band will headline the music at the Monument Park gazebo on Aug. 13.

Orchid, composed of students from Dexter High School, recently won a band contest held by Dexter Daze entertainment chairmen Mark Amsdill and Laurie Kokmeyer.

"We are always looking for more ways to attract a younger audience to Dexter Daze," Kokmeyer said.

Now in its 39th year, Dexter Daze will feature a parade, arts and crafts show, a classic car show and an assortment of live entertainment.

Orchid drummer Graham Low said it was an honor to be chosen to play at Dexter Daze.

"It's a great honor to be performing at Dexter Daze because we have all been going to this event since childhood and this event will have a strong influence on our musical development," he said. "We plan on performing to our highest potential at this gig and we hope to be received well. We love playing music, especially live, so we won't hold back. This should be a good time."

The band consists of Chad Bousley (electric guitar/vocals), Biscuit Hayes (bass guitar) and Low (drums/lead vocals).

Low said Orchid, which formed in 2010 during the DHS Student Produced Artistic Collaborative Events (SPACE) club meeting, performs a variety of different genres, including funk, jazz and classic rock.

"The variety is shown in our originals, which each have a unique sound," Low said.

Orchid will perform from 2-3 p.m. Aug. 13 at the gazebo in Monument Park. For more information, visit the Dexter Daze schedule of events.

"I believe high school students will feel very good about having a high school band performing at Dexter Daze because in past years the music has been directed toward a more older audience, so it will be nice to have some more youth-oriented musical expression coming from the gazebo," Low said.